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December 27th, 2011
Maura West speaks on her departure from Y&R & her decision to tackle the role of Diane!

Courtesy/CBS

One of the finest actresses to ever grace the soap opera genre, two-time Daytime Emmy winner, Maura West opened up about her dismissal from the number one soap, The Young and the Restless after signing on to resurrect the role of Diane Jenkins, after the cancellation of As the World Turns and finishing up her star turn as Carly Tenney Snyder. West spoke with Nelson Branco in a new interview for Soap Opera Uncensored.

In addition, Maura also weighed in on the recent cancellations of OLTL and AMC and how the shows were attempting to move online via Prospect Park.

Here are a few excerpts!

Maura in hindsight, if she feels she decided to take on the role of Diane too soon after ATWT: “Frankly, I did jump in rather quickly because I didn’t want to be the last person to have a seat in this [casting] game of musical chairs. So, I took the first seat available. Yeah, when [my husband] Scott [De Freitas], my agent and I speak in retrospect, we all agree I should have waited for something else. Originally, I didn’t realize Diane was a recast of an existing character. After I found out, I expressed concern about the age discrepancy, but was told the [de-SORASing] was an intentional age change. And that’s cool! For God’s sake, it’s a soap opera. It happens — and it’s not unusual to play with characters’ ages. But I would have asked more questions, for sure. I mean, Diane’s my mother’s age! That should have raised some red flags. But I was excited with the prospect of working with a group of extremely talented people on Y&R. I also wanted a change. [Moreover], I was excited about moving to LA. There were a lot of positive reasons why I took the job, but there were also some reasons why I shouldn’t have taken the job.”

Maura on if she was surprised that the powers-that-be at Y&R were killing her off just as her character was picking up steam: “No, and I’ll tell you why. I may not be a genius but I’m no Forrest Gump, either! It was very clear to me, even by week two, this was not a character anyone was particularly invested in. The second time Diane showed up and dropped her overcoat, I was like, “Oh, I see what’s going on here.” I wasn’t surprised. No, in fact, I was really let go, time-wise, I before all that fun, sparkly stuff with Michael Muhney’s Adam. I already knew I was on the way out shortly after working with Muhney.”

Maura’s thoughts on Prospect Park trying to save the cancelled OLTL and AMC and move them online: “I don’t like seeing anyone, ever, ever, ever, out of a job. It’s terrible. There are a lot of people on these shows — people who aren’t lead actors — who aren’t able to stock away money. They’re grinding away — and they’ve lost their f**ing job! That makes me very sad. That’s my answer to that. I really believe these shows, which have been on the air for so long, need to be scrapped so we can start over. I don’t mean to sound harsh but it might be OK if we do that. Prospect Park? I don’t know much about it. Online shows scare me because we’re union actors and I don’t know if we’re protected. Some of these online productions don’t pay their actors… they just get lunch! [Laughs] Our union doesn’t like that. There has to be some kind of protection for us. It seems like it’s the wild, wild west right now.”

What do you think of Maura’s sentiments? And how she was written out of Y&R? Let us know!

LOVE MAURA WEST!!!!!! She is a class act!!! I wish she would’ve talked more about why she shouldn’t have tackled the role and the fact she saw it as short-term doesn’t surprise me. But she rocked it as Diane, and didn’t deserve the treatment she got from the show. She deserves better and I know in the long-run, she’ll come out on top!!

MW was screwed over by MAB, who got her nose out of joint about MW being hired by Sony. MAB is making Y&R into a joke. She is the one who should be fired. MW made Diane a great character to watch. Her scened with Michael Muhney were terrific. SHAME on CBS & Sony for letting MAB fire MW and ruin Y&R.

Like Maura said in this interview, and to me directly, she wasn’t ready to tacke another role immediately following Carly on ATWT. The show had plans to recast Diane anyway, so Sony saw it as a chance to nab Maura to gain viewership. And once Maria got the chance, she dropped her.

Maura, to me, seems bitter about it and could give two hoots about the character.

I absolutely LOVE Maura West. I went to High School with her and actually got to act with her in several plays we competed in. I started watching Y&R for the simple reason that Maura West was on it. Now that she has been killed off I no longer watch Y&R. I wish Maura would have said more about her future plans. Will she be on another soap?? or will we see her on the BIG screen??? Love ya Maura. You are one of the BEST!!!!!

That was offensive. She states that these shows need to be scrapped, so that we can start over. I’m sorry but OLTL is still fresh, funny, touching, and thought provoking. There is nothing about OLTL that needs to be scraped. There were many times I felt like ATWT needed to be scrapped, and AMC was horrendous most of the time. I feel that way about GH right now. Clearly she never watched OLTL and shouldn’t be publicly commenting on it.

I agree she miss spoke there, granted she’s entitle to her opinion, but hello ms. i’m no forrest gump either, they are not starting over w/ soaps, they are just getting killed off and not replaced. so her remark was very forrest gump of her.

Me too! I used to watch ATWT & loved her (most of the time) & even loved her on Y&R but her comments about scrapping OLTL-that is crazy-start over’s ass. You don’t start the best show on effing tv OVER. You keep it FOREVER!

rono3849 replied December 29th, 2011 at 11:35 pm

Well, OLTL is being scrapped. ABC has already made that decision. End of story.

Heather replied December 30th, 2011 at 2:34 am

Sorry Torrey and Gloria but Maury West is right.

I’m not pro-union. But why in the world would Erika Sleazak (or any other soap opera actor for that matter) want to work in a non-union environment?

Tara replied December 29th, 2011 at 7:35 pm

Maura West is a brilliant actress and more importantly a phenomenal person. This woman is simply amazing. Yes, I am a huge Maura West fan! I guess that’s why I’m in shock that some of you are offended by what she said. There are very few people that possess the type of character that she has. She was stating her opinion about what she sees and feels about soaps. Which anyone can do. That doesn’t mean she misspoke. I can understand the emotions that OLTL fans are feeling right now. Believe me, I felt it when ATWT went off the air. It’s difficult to let go of something that has become a part of your life. Yes, of course, there are lots of great things happening in the shows; however, something is obviously wrong if soaps continue to be cancelled. And, sometimes you must start over. The truth often hurts–it’s okay to agree to disagree.
BTW, people CHOOSE to be offended.

Like I said, she’s amazing!! Honestly, people like her are far and few between.
Can’t wait to see you on the big screen, Maura!!!

What is wrong is not the show. It is the greed of the profit margin. Talj shows cost less.

Torrey replied December 30th, 2011 at 3:13 pm

I don’t recall ever stating that I was offended by what she said…I just said I didn’t agree with her. I feel like OLTL is the best soap on television, and should not have been cancelled. ABC has had it in for their soaps for some time now…and like Todd stated, it’s all about money. Talk shows are cheaper to produce, so they choose to fill their line-up with chatter shows, because that puts more money in their pockets. And I also agree with the opinion of others that there is nothing wrong with OLTL. I don’t believe the cancellation had anything to do with the quality of program…it was about the all mighty dollar. So, scrapping something that is already working and starting over doesn’t make sense to me. Why mess with a good thing? Besides, her statement makes it sound like they can cancel the show and just start over with another one….Networks are dumping soaps left and right, so that the big wigs can put bigger checks in their pockets. They are not looking to produce any more soaps….and when they do, you end up with something like Passions, where they don’t give the show enough time to truly come into its own before they cancel it. Networks want quick, instant results,,,and that doesn’t always happen, especially in the soap land. It takes time to build up an audience and really get the fans invested in the program. And if you look back at her comments, she wasn’t just talking about OLTL…she said THESE SHOWS that have been on for a long time need to be scrapped. So, she thinks that all the soaps should be scrapped and start over? Just doesn’t make sense to me. She’s entitled to her opinion and I respect that, but i’m entitle to mine as well….and I don’t agree with her. I believe networks are turning their backs on the fans of daytime, just so they can make a quick easy buck…and when it’s all said and done scrapping all the shows is not a good idea because that’s more people out of work.

Tara replied December 31st, 2011 at 12:14 am

Torrey,
We could go back and forth on this and probably never come to an agreement; however, I do respect your opinion. I stand by what I said just as i’m sure you will stand by what you said. We will just have to agree to disagree. Hope you have a lovely NYE!! Hopefully, 2012 will bring great joy to everyone.

Maura, thank you for all the pleasure you brought to your fans with your portrayal of Carly. You and Michael are surely missed on screen. BTW, I LOVED your interview; I totally agree with your viewpoints and I just know 2012 will be an awesome year for us all!!

maura west is a talented actress. the emmys she won are a testament to that.. the character of diane was ruined by abysmal writing and the fact that she slept with almost all of the men of genoa city , another excellent actor who was used shamefully.. i caught a glimpse of y/r and saw kevin with some horrific jersey shore wannabe.. bill bell would be sad to see what his flagship show has been reduced to

Maura is a great actress. I think the problem was Diane was not someone anybody wanted to see and the story line sucked. Id like to see them kill off a few vet. actors like Eric Braeden who has been the city’s bully for far to long. Melody Thomas Scott is another big ticket that could save them money. Nikki has been treating Sharon like cray for so long its sickening. When those two come on it’s bathroom break or tea break.

I loved Maura on ATWT loved on y&r will continue to love her I’m really pissed they killed her on y&r she’s a brilliant actress. She will always remain one of my fav characters on ATWT Maura miss u are a legend and will be in my eyes. MAB is such an idiot for getting rid of a legend and talented actress

IA with everything Maura said especially the age thing. This woman supposedly broke up Jack and Patty but wasn’t even 40? I also think that tptb made Diane so unlikeable that no viewer would be sad she was killed. I still couldn’t care less who killed Diane but I admit having wanted Kyle to be the killer.

I’ve read the entire interview and it’s a good read that I recommend. I was happy to finally hear Maura’s thoughts.

As an admitted big fan of Maura and not a long term Y&R viewer I had no problem accepting her Diane but I get with the age difference that was difficult for long term viewers. Heck most hate recasts and newbies anyhow lol. However many of them started coming around at the end. If she had been given strong writing at the beginning she could have made it work but clearly there was no real plan for Diane and nothing for her to really work with until her exit. Going from man to man just doesn’t make a character work. The show simply had no commitment to Diane or Maura.

Probably Maura should have thought more about the role but I also fault Y&R. Seems to me they were more interested in grabbing a talented actress as popular as Maura before anyone else did than really ever coming up with a plan for her. They wasted her!

I hope we see her in something soon and I’d love for it to be a prime time soap! She’s far too talented to not be on our screens somewhere! I’d also love to see her in a role that is a much more positive experience for her to renew her love of acting.

I also agree with her on resurrecting the cancelled shows. I’d rather see new soaps created and would really welcome that and then relive the glory days hopefully online of the classic soaps.

Your comments are “right on” with my thinking, Judy! I too am a big Maura fan and the age difference thing didn’t bother me either. I watched the Y&R simply because Maura West was on it, and now I really could care less about the show. I can see how it was hard for the forever fans to accept a new Diane. But, to me, it was refreshing to see her as Diane. I missed Carly Tenney Snyder, but it didn’t take me long at all to accept her as Diane. I was cheering for her every week! Maura is just so talented! She is an amazing actress who is SO kind and sweet–she is one of a kind! I can’t wait to see what she does in the future! Thank you Maura for all that you do! We fans LOVE you and always have our support!

It was an injustice to have hired such a beautiful, talented actor like Maura West then have her die in the manner in which they decided. They wasted her talent and her time. Maura, I hope they paid you well because you are great. I would love to see you on my TV along with MIchael Park in Prime Time.

The demise of soaps are imminent. Poor Mr. Bill Bell Sr. must be dervishing in his grave if he could see what the present writers have done to our best loved show. The entire team of writers need to be FIRED starting with Marie Arena Bell, his daughter-in-law. This show has become so trashy and too SEX-FILLED that it is nauseating to watchl Storylines never reach denouement and too many crimes unsolved. They “claim” they fire actors due to budget cuts. If that is the case, why do they continue bringing other NEW characters? We, the faithful watchers have had our fill and I am just hanging by a thread.

Love Maura West! A seriously talented Actress. Wish TPTB thought to rehire her for the other Bell soap B &B- Jackie M sure could use a designer and MW would suit the role very well:) and can’t you just see her tangling it up with the Forresters:)

Absolutely a Maura West fan here as well, but I can’t agree with putting her on a show like B&B–that would be an absolute travesty & a huge slap in the face to a talent like MW’s. Though I’ve not watched every single soap on TV, so I can’t speak for or against any other, I was a huge Y&R and ATWT’s fan for many years. When my work schedule permitted, I’d watch both with B&B tucked in between, but the latter just got so ridiculous & repetitive in the storyline, not to mention marginal acting talent. KLL is the only actress I even remotely liked on that show & haven’t watched it in YEARS. (Perhaps her being a fellow-horsewoman was the reason why she interested me at all…) Why is B&B even still in production??? But I digress. For the last few years, the only show I’d take time to watch was ATWT & that was due largely to MW’s talent. She has a certain grit that she sprinkles on top of her character Carly that was just delicious to watch, and she added that same ingredient to the character Diane, but was talented enough to keep the two characters separate so that her longtime Carly fans could enjoy her ability without Diane morphing into Carly, thus confusing & confounding her fans. Dang! I miss seeing Maura on my TV screen! Before anyone comments on other talent on ATWT’s, yes–I enjoyed others on the show too, but Maura is the one I can most relate to. When will we see you again, Maura?!!!

with all new people,it wouldnt be the same,when pp was going to put oltl on line 13 stars were signed up to go along with the writers,pp backed out,some people say pp said they were saving the soaps just to shut the fans up about abc canceling amc and oltl.guess we will never know,I feel bad that oltl has 12 more days left.and the crap they are replacing the soaps with ,what kind of people watch these shows ,how many more shows like that do we need ,abc has crap on in the daytime and crap tv at night ,cheep shows with no class or comedy shows with smartmouth kids making the parents look stupid.abc the family channel,yea there family alright as long as you are under 49 years old you count,you never hear about what the 49 and older like to watch or how many are watching ,cause they dont care.you can put trash tv on ,cheep,and abc is good with that.

Judy replied December 28th, 2011 at 1:36 pm

Exactly PJ. She didn’t say any soap should be cancelled. She said though once they have been cancelled it’s better to start new than to resurrect them online. What was likely to transpire online would likely be a shell of what they had once been and not what people had loved.

rono3849 replied December 29th, 2011 at 11:29 pm

What’s the big deal? OLTL is dead. It’s over. Get over it. GH has become a mess and looks likely to join AMC, ATWT, GL and OLTL on the ash heap very soon as well. Seriously folks, get a life.

The actors of OLTL have moved on and some probably have already found jobs. If OLTL was to come back, do you seriouly think it would be the same show as the one on ABC? This would be OLTL in name only with a bunch of unknown actors and characters, and a total insult to the legacy of OLTL. Maury West is 100% right. Just start a new soap.

Brian replied December 30th, 2011 at 7:14 am

hmmm… sounds like you are the one who needs something. why are you so bothered just because some people have watched and like a show ?

anyway, you try to have a happy new year rono3849 !

barbara t replied December 30th, 2011 at 9:17 am

SHUTUP,looks like you need to get a life,and find something else to do other then insult people for caring about a show ,and ONE LIFE TO LIVE is not dead ,it was canceled ,but the fans saved it, we need to find backing to keep the show on,abc wants to go cheep with crap reality shows because they think we need help to maintain our lives.If you dont like soaps why are you keeping up with what is going on here ?

rono3849 replied January 2nd, 2012 at 1:48 pm

barbara t, please get back on your meds. You jump to conclusions and you don’t even know who I am or what I like or don’t like. My comments were just a reality check. I liked ATWT and CBS killed it. The fact that I like a show and it’s cancelled is TV. One just has to face facts, deal with it, and move on.

I’m sure you love OLTL, but don’t take your disappointment out on me. ABC killed the show. Life goes on, and BTW, I have a very nice life, thank you.

barbara t replied January 2nd, 2012 at 4:03 pm

your comments are a reality check,no one is taking any disappointments out on you, I think its the other way around.and you should go back on your meds,you dont know me either ,here are your words ,GET A LIFE,maybe the only life some people have are on there tv sets .and there soaps are a part of that .however I do agree with you abc did kill the soaps and I think you are here to say nasty things to people ,get over yourself and you have a happy new year to.

Very talented actress, I loive how they bring on other former soap actors and actresses to act on Y&R. Go to B&B. I started watching B&B after a 10 plus year hiatus. I starting watching when most of Y&R ended up on there.

I, too, love Maura West and still miss seeing her as Carly so much. I had watched Y&R from its inception and always considered it my favorite soap, so when it scooped Maura up after ATWT’s cancellation, I was to say the least very excited! Unfortunately, Y&R not only completely wasted Maura’s talent and contributions to the show, they did their fans an injustice by not allowing people not familiar with Maura/Carly to see, hear and feel her brilliance as an actor. I no longer watch any daytime soaps but would love to see Maura hit prime time a la Madeline Stowe in Revenge or Jessica Lange in American Horror Story. Maura, if you read this, I wish you all the best and will be anxiously waiting to see you again on tv or in the theaters, hopefully much sooner than later!

Yep I can totally see her on those types of prime time shows. Not necessarily those shows but that type of prime time soap and so hope one is in the future for her! She would be amazing! That’s my wish too.

Loved MW as Carly on ATWT. With that being said, she was definitely miscast as Diane. She did a great job with what she was given, but quite frankly, YR’s HWs didn’t deliver much. MW would’ve been a fantastic, long-term addition to YR as a new character and I wish the current HW and EP team had a little more foresight and a lot more talent.

I like Maura West. She was great as Carly on ATWT. However, Alex Donnelly always will be Diane Jenkins, and I really don’t understand the two recasts, especially the Maura West recast, because of the obvious and jarring age discrepancy. The current regime’s disregard for timelines and history make no sense to me. That’s probably why I don’t get invested anymore. Y&R hasn’t been the same since LML and later MAB took over. I’d like to see Y&R get back to its roots and stop this deconstruction before it’s too late, if not already too late. As for “scrapping” ONE LIFE TO LIVE, readers of my posts probably know my adoration for the crown jewel of daytime. I’ll give our Maura West the benefit of the doubt, but let it be known that OLTL is the ONLY soap on daytime right now that excels and the only soap truly deserving NOT to be scrapped.

I think that they didn’t understand how talented Maura really is! She can act circles around those people on YR. I was so excited to learn she had a job so soon after ATWT. And I was hurt and disappointed when she was let go. Maura is my favorite daytime actor. What an absolute waste of talent!!!!

i loved watching Maura on ATWT & i started watching Y&R on her first day, only watched a few times when i knew she’d be on just for her but i hated the rest of the show. i watched it years ago when Alex was Diane & they did miscast Maura as that character. she was wasted in that part & they should of wrote her a new part & i don’t know why they hired her so fast just to do this to her.

i hope Maura finds work worthy of her talents & is not wasted on another role like Diane again.

i can understand her saying that soaps need to be scrapped & start all over, they are antiquated in their stories & storylines & any new soap started should be modeled after a primetime show with that type of writing & stories & not reuse the same ole’ tired plots year after year & it’s bad when you can tell when a writer from one show gets fired & gets hired at another soap by the storylines that show up there that you saw on all the previous shows they wrote for.

I like Maura West and enjoyed her very much on ATWT. However, as a long-term (more than 30 years) viewer of Y&R, I knew immediately that West was seriously miscast as Diane. “Immediately” means when I first read the news on one of these sites, not when West actually appeared.

Diane was sleeping with Jack in the early 80′s when Maura likely was in grade school!! The character was entirely too old to be played by West. West should have been cast as Phyllis’ sister.

The writing for Diane was not good but the real problem was the miscasting. Frankly, I think West deserves some degree of blame for taking the part. In the interview, West admits that she did not know Diane was a recast when she took the part. Diane is a pretty significant character in the Y&R history. I think West should have done a little more research about the situation before she so quickly signed onto the role. I know that daytime acting jobs are becoming more scarce and can see why West readily took the job. However, a little more thought before she signed on would have prevented this outcome. If I knew at the annoucement that West as Diane was a mistake before she ever appeared in the part, how hard would it have been for West to done a little homework and saw this problem?

I hope that West finds a job on a night time show and moves on from the endangered daytime environment. However, I hope that, next time, West invests a little time into choosing the right part for her and not simply jumping at the first thing offered to her.

I appreciate your comments. You did not, though, read carefully what I said. I said that when the role was first offered I was unaware it was a recast. Actually, the name Diane came up later in conversations. Then, when I did realize it, and before I accepted the role, I expressed concern…but was told that they wanted to “age Diane down.”. They know my age, for goodness sake. And I believe I did take some responsibility. Still do. In retrospect: I should have been more patient. But for the reasons I spoke of, I wanted to give it a shot. The whole age issue is a bit silly to me, frankly, as soaps have long been known to change and play with the ages of characters. That, in my opinion, was the least of the problems. Also: I stated that I NEVER want to see anyone out of a job. This includes myself, of course….I wish you a very Happy New Year. Cheers.

Frankly, we shouldn’t fault Maura so completely for accepting the part not knowing the character’s history…share the blame – I definitely think so! But the ones in charge at Y&R should take the lion’s share of the blame for thinking they could so easily deSORAS a character like that and make it work. SORASING works with children (for the most part – I don’t agree, however, when they do what they did with Abby and Kyle – children who were clearly born close together on the show but then they SORASED Abby several years beyond Kyle) but I think they should forget about doing it with adults. They can’t keep with the actual ages of the characters they create or stories just wouldn’t work sometimes, but don’t shove something so glaringly obvious down our throats like the deSORASING of the character of Diane Jenkins!

Mauras Carly was my favorite on ATWT. I had watched around 40 yrs (I am 44) and Maura became my reason to stay tuned in when at times the rest of the show was not up to par. Y&R should have know what a goldmine that they had with Maura. Instead they wasted her talent. IMO the only reason they hired her was to try and grab ATWTs viewers and keep them watching Y&R. Well they do not know what they missed out on! Maura keep the fire burning at ATWT, without her it would have been cancelled several years back and she could have helped keep the fire burning at Y&R the same way.

Well im mad because they took As The World Turns and The Guiding Light off the air…i have watch both soaps since i was a child. When u watch them for so long its like the ppl on the soaps become part of ur family…just wanted to say how much i miss watching both of the shows…

torrey ,you are right ,every thing you said ,they cant bring back one life to live with all new people , will never be the same.and one life to live is the best soap Ive ever watched in 50 years of watching the continuing stories its always kept me interested as I am today ,the other soaps never did that ,so one life to live was not taken off the air because it was bad.but because abc is cheep ,and I was faithful watching there soaps for decades ,and now they pay me back by killing amc and oltl.they also canceled ryans hope loving port charlas,abc hates the soap fans I hope both the chew ,the revolution and katie couric fail big time, I wont be watching .

The big question I want to know and probably can not get it answered is did Peter Bergman or Eric Braeden ever question the casting knowing their ages did they not go Huh! But like I said before I wish if they were doing a recast of Kate Howard they would have looked at Ms. West. Good luck to her and MAB is ruining Y&R they need Kay Alden and Jack Smith I think that was his name who worked under the great Bill Bell. I do know Christian LeBlanc was in her corner.

Hey Maura if that is indeed you on this board, you should have sued them for killing you off in that awful green and white dress. Happy New Year everybody and laughter is the best medicine for everything!!!

hey Maura, please girl try to get a prime time gig (i know it is hard, even more when you come from daytime soaps and well when you are not a teenage girl..it is Hollywood for you..yep) but maybe Michael Muhney can help you..he comes from prime time (Veronica Mars was one of the best tv show from these last decades imo) and when he get bored of his Adam gig on The Young and the Restless he can join you and you can work together again..this time really work together and in better conditions (to be honest i like his Adam character but was never fan of Diane Jenkins the character, too one-note to me so you deserve SO MUCH BETTER).
You are too talented to not be on-screen, you can do it Maura, you already have a strong fanbase and networks like that..now meet the right people..
p.s : i love that you like ‘Ejami’ the only good thing on the otherwise boring Days, writers are wasting it and people don’t watch anymore..

The only issue I have re: Maura’s statement about unions and online original programming is that it is backwards. Though I fully believe that Prospect Park’s plans were waaaaaaay too ambitious for this stage of viability for online programming, this is not a flash-in-the-pan. Perhaps if nothing else, this was a kick start for unions to pay attention and figure out exactly how to structure deals for actors, writers, etc. They HAVE to do it, that much is clear. But they have to be realistic. In the beginning, it can’t be like how it is now for television and film. As the medium grows and becomes more profitable, so too will union contracts develop. On the other side, decisions like PP’s to demand long-term, exclusive contracts on something so risky is just plain dumb.

As for whether or not to start over with brand new shows, I think an argument can be made either way. Fresh, clean slate has its advantages, but so does starting a risky venture with a known commodity. (One only need to look at the success of Guiding Light’s transition from radio to the nascent television industry to see how that could work.) And really, that’s exactly where we are right now. People who thought TV would never last were very shortsighted – and perhaps a bit Gumpy. That’s a mistake it would be foolish to repeat – for the unions as much as anyone.

Like you all, I think Maura is spectacular and look forward to seeing her in her next venture.

Maura West is an amazing talent – I loved her work for years on ATWT and I enjoyed her portrayal of Diane Jenkins on Y&R . TPTB made a huge mistake in the treatment of Ms. West and Diane Jenkins. I keep hoping that the character played by MW will be discovered alive and well in Switzerland. Don’t know that she would want to go to to Y&R but I hope to see her soon on another soap or better yet primetime. She would be a major asset for any venue fortunate enough to have her.

Maura you need not aplogize or explain yourself. You said nothing wrong, I know you did not mean anything negative by your remark. On another note in my opinion, you did a bang up job as Diane. I personally was suprised you were hired for that role as well since I was familiar with the previous actresses, however I never liked the character until you took on the role. You are very interesting to watch on screen. Best of Luck in whatever you do. I hope everything works out.

I am 51 years old and have been watching ATWT and Y&R since I was 14 years old. Very few actors make a big impression but Maura West is certainly one of them. Her talent is endless and I can see her in many different types of roles, serious ones and comedies too. She is quite versatile. I questioned the role of Diane for her but thought she did a very good job with what they gave her. It seemed as just as she began to completely shine, they let her go. Quite a disappointment. I want to thank Maura for quality entertainment on a daily basis, which is remarkable. I wish her only the best. I see her future at the very least, in prime time, but I truly believe there is most definitely a place for her on the big screen. Please let your loyal followers know where to find you next! Thanks for making us feel like we are part of your family…

I just loved Maura on ATWT. She truely is a wonderful actress. I only tuned into Y&R after Maura joined the cast. I thought she did an amazing job as Diane.I think they made a mistake letting her go, she is far to talented for that.I am so sad that the soaps are being taken off the air. I am from the generation of women who loved them.I grew up watching them with my mother and older sisters. I too feel bad for the folks out there who worked on the soaps and are now unemployed. Some of the shows that have replaced the soaps are just palin stupid in my book. No more afternoon escape from reality for us daytime soap fans out there. Shame on the networks for taking the best part of our day away!! I guess there is a new generation of people out there that don’t like the soaps. But as for me I will always hope that one day the networks will see the light and bring back our beloved soaps.

I watched ATWT mainly because of Jack & Carly. What Y&R did with her character was disgraceful and I only watched it until they found Diane’s killer, then stopped. She is one great actress and Y&R were stupid to do what they did to her character. She should have come on as comeone completely new and ended up with Jack instead of the insipid Genevieve.

I am very against the way Maura’s character on the Young and the Restless was taken off. Maura is the only reason I went back to watch this soap opera. I continued watching As The World Turns for her role as Carly and Micheal Parker as Jack. I don’t where they are acting now and it bothers me.
If anyone knows where Maura West is acting please let me know. Thanks
There should be others people aliminated from Y & R who are seriously worthless in acting.
Maura was such a great actress, they were afraid to keep her.

Oh boy, am I a fan of Maura’s and for ever so long too. Terribly sad to see AWTW go away and knowing the fine actors we have grown to love (or hate) would be out of work, etc. Was great to see Maura go to Y & R because occasionally I watched Y & R and was glad to see her back at work…Diane Jenkins thought? uhhhhh huh??? The writing did not suit her and neither did her spot on the show…nothing was right. Such a beautiful woman and such an amazing talent and look what happened! They threw her under the bus and in doing so, MAB threw the viewers away too…shame on you MAB. One would have thought you knew better, but . . . you didn’t and you don’t. Pity. Maura get workin, babe…we want to see you and yes, you should be on the big screen or in a genuinely GOOD TV series. Hi to Scott/Andy!

Yep, I watched ATWT since the beginning, when it was blk/white and a half hour long…1956…lunchtime. I remember Grandpa Hughes, Aunt Edie, Jeff Baker, Penny God bless her, Bob wasnt even around then…Lisa was, Alma and Henry, Mike Bobs brother…all of them…what a wonderful show it was. It has taken many turns, not always good, but we rolled with them all…even all the different Betsy problems…so many many changes throughout the years…BUT…when Carly came along she added problems too, but such a smiling face and such a great actress…Carly and Jack…yep yep yep. Maura, I certainly hope we see you soon somewhere…and we will, I am very sure. Good Luck!

I was surprised that they let her go, she’s a talented actress and I wish her well, I wish she wouldn’t have been Diane Jenkins, she played it well, but she is more suited for the Carly role that everyone loved, she probably would’we still been there had she been given a role like that! Good luck to you Maura, hope to seen you on tv soon!

I would have loved to hear her talk more about what happened with Y&R. What so strange is right after ATWT ended I remember thinking Maura West is such a sultry actress she’s a better fit for Y&R and wouldn’t you know the she was but as Diane. I still expected the character to become apart of the Y&R tapestry but like she said when she kept sleeping with everyone I knew it was temporary. Still a fan ..they should find a way to revive her. Hell Phillip Chancellor is back from the dead .. so .. anything is possible.

Why isn’t award winning great actress Maura West, both in comedy and drama, hired by network excutives for a prime time series? She would be brialliant in Mad Men, or a comedy like Anger Management. She should have her own series.

Ms West would be wonderful as a femme fatale in TV or film.

Why arn’t the casting people paying attention? Maura West is a major talent the audience wants to see.

I miss ATWT terribly…Have been a fan since ‘Lisa was young’!
Maura, Michael, Jon and Lily along with the veteran castmembers were great.
They became like family. Maura played the heck out of Carly!
(Would it be to much to ask to just move all the characters from ATWT to
the remaining Soaps?)

after maura was let go on the y &r as diane ..I was hoping that they brought her back as diane’s twin sister that was given up at birth, and I wanted her to come back as a strong women who takes crap from no one, and give everyone hell for the way that they treated diane…now that would be one heck of a story…love maura west..the best actress in daytime television.

I don’t think it was very nice of the YR people to let her go (Diana -Maura West) I can’t watch it now YR because my tv is acting up and I can’t get the ch 32 any more, haven’t for about 6mo or so and I am going craZY NOT BEING ABLE TO SEE MY SOAP I have watched when my babies were little and now they watch and have watched. Thay always say things must change BUT NO THEY do not have to change that much. oh well one of your greatest fan’s for sooo long, both you, Y&R AND Maura west as Carley on HER soap ( I called it her soap because OF Carley and Jack the 2 made a GREAT couple. They would make my day sometimes. ) OH sorry NOW my pc is so slow and I don’t know how to get you on the NET I can not see you at all CRY CRY CRY. love you all on Y&R.

I have been reading threw some of these coments, and I was so excited to see Scott AND Maura both commented on some of then it was like I was right there watch ing them write, for me it was very uplifting. I don’t get to see my soaps any more, they have taken the best off ATWT and the one left R&R because of my stupid TV , but, I can get on here and almost as good. Love you Maura so hope you get something you want to do… as far as acting goes. But I hope your fans can watch along the way as you go threw your life as an actress, so loved by your fans. I am also a BIG fan of Cooper’s love her in the old westerns she played in.

I love and miss my carjack ( Jack and Carly) Maura, I am so sorry for the treatment you rec from Y&R. Everything happens for a reason; one door close and another one opens. As talented as you are, I am sure it is a matter of time before we see you doing great things once again. My only wish is that it would be with Michael Parks. You too are awesome. Everything is for a moment. This too shall pass. Stay blessed Maura and please keep us posted.

Maura, you’re absolutely phenomenal! I thought you added something much spicier to the role of Diane! I do miss Carly very much, but we just want to see you on screen again, you’re incredible, no matter what character you bring to life. Personally, I don’t believe the Y&R folks gave Diane enough time for us to get familiar with her again, and I don’t think the age issue was such a big deal. They do this all the time in daytime television. You’ve given us so much joy watching you over the years, and I’d like to say Thank -You, Maura, I love you, as do millions of others who have had the honor and pleasure of experiencing your creative talent! Wishing you all the best, and looking forward to seeing you on screen again real soon! All is well!

Would someone please tell me what the heck they are doing on Y&R. Everyone is breaking up, Did they get NEW writers or something? I sometimes do not even want to watch, but then I find myself being drawn back in. OH well they have me oh PLEASE DON”T TAKE Y&R OFF.

I love the character of Carly Tenney (ATWT) and also Ms West was taking on the character of Diane Jenkins (Y&R) and making it her own slowly but surely. I truly think they made a huge mistake when they release her (and killed off Diane). I really do miss the Jack and Carly relationship–it was truly romantic and I was always happy when they reunited. They were daytime TV’s BEST Soap Opera couple E-V-E-R!!!

I think Young & Restless needs to fire all the writers etc. I will not watch this show again. Maura West and Michael Muhney are both great… They took the stupid things they gave their characters to do and made them still lovable. I hope they both get great jobs and hope that Young & Restless is taken off the air.

There needs to be a NEW SOAP, full tilt tv production!
Maura West & so many talented actors to chose from. Tired of nothing good to watch after the void left by cancellation of so many soaps. Quit watching reality, talk shows. How are there ratings doing?
A soap is like a great novel, a continuing series. When will someone in tvland realize they need to put together a new soap, a pared down version to start. Hey Coronation Street in UK is the best written soap. Hire somebody from there. We have the actors.
I miss GL, ATWT. The void was never filled.

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Video of the Day

General Hospital has released its new winter promo, a very modern and stylized teaser featuring the couples and triangles to watch for that will turn up the heat during the cold months of the new year. Chief among them: Franco/Liz/Griffin, Curtis/Jordan/Andre, Michael and Nelle, Carly and Sonny, Nathan and Maxie, and Dillon and Kiki. Watch the promo below. Let us know who you are rooting for, and most interested in seeing from the love stories featured. Leave a comment »